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Wednesday, 16 September 2026
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Wednesday, 16 September 2026
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Concacaf

Also known as: North, Central America and the Caribbean's ruling body CONCACAF

Continental football confederation that, alongside UEFA and AFC, issued a joint letter criticizing FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his failed private investment plan for World Cups.

2026-07-132026-09-16

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. The Standard

    I don't know yet who." CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and AFC boss Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa are considered two of the most likely challengers for Infantino's position.

    UEFA chief Ceferin rules out bid to replace Infantino as FIFA president
  3. Citizen Digital

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino came under renewed fire on August 10, 2026 as a joint letter from three confederations -- UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC -- declared football "belongs to no individual".

    Senior FIFA official withdraws support from embattled Infantino
  4. Citizen Digital

    The presidents of UEFA -- who described the plan as a "shabby, back room, opaque deal" -- and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and North, Central America and the Caribbean's ruling body CONCACAF presidents had issued a no-holds barred joint statement last week.

    Beleaguered FIFA chief Infantino rids himself of critic Lamour
  5. Citizen Digital

    (Photo by Jaime SALDARRIAGA / AFP) Audio By Vocalize A damaging split within Asian football deepened Tuesday as the region's top official hit back at a Qatari challenge over the confederation's move to join UEFA and CONCACAF in targeting FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

    Rift deepens as Asia football chief hits back at Qatar in Infantino saga
  6. Citizen Digital

    REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo Audio By Vocalize A growing rift within Asian soccer over the future of FIFA has burst into the open with Qatar challenging the Asian Football Confederation over its decision to join UEFA and CONCACAF ​in a sweeping attack on embattled FIFA Presi

    Qatar challenges AFC over open letter attacking FIFA president Infantino
  7. Citizen Digital

    The governing bodies of European football (UEFA), North and Central America (CONCACAF) and Asia (AFC) stepped up the pressure on Infantino in a joint letter this week, declaring "trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrus

    Infantino future should be decided by election says African football chief
  8. Citizen Digital

    ion, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned." -- A no holds-barred letter, released on Monday, signed by the presidents of three confederations, Aleksander Ceferin (UEFA), Victor Montagliani (CONCACAF

    The Infantino saga -- What they said
  9. Citizen Digital

    Infantino came under renewed fire in an open letter signed by three confederations -- Europe's UEFA, North and Central America's CONCACAF and Asia's AFC -- accusing the world football boss of breaking trust "through deception".

    Trump says would be 'terrible mistake' to replace FIFA's Infantino
  10. The Standard

    Infantino came under renewed fire in an open letter signed by three confederations -- Europe's UEFA, North and Central America's CONCACAF and Asia's AFC -- accusing the world football boss of breaking trust "through deception".But Trump backed Infantino, who awarded the US presid

    Trump says would be 'terrible mistake' to oust embattled Infantino
  11. Citizen Digital

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino came under renewed fire on August 10, 2026 as a joint letter from three confederations - UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC - declared football "belongs to no individual".

    World Cup co-hosts US and Canada oppose Infantino
World & Region

France withdraws FIFA presidential support from Infantino

The News

France's Football Federation announced it will not support Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, joining other European federations including Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales in withdrawing support. The FFF stated that trust in the FIFA president has been betrayed and that world football governance no longer reflects their values.

10 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 10 September

  1. France withdraws FIFA presidential support from Infantino

    France's Football Federation announced it will not support Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, joining other European federations including Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales in withdrawing support. The FFF stated that trust in the FIFA president has been betrayed and that world football governance no longer reflects their values.

    10 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. France joins European nations withdrawing support for Infantino

    France has withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, aligning with Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales. The French Football Federation cited a loss of trust in the FIFA president's governance of world football, citing his abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cups.

    10 September 2026 · The Standard

Friday 4 September

  1. FIFA accuses UEFA of smear campaign over World Cup plan

    FIFA has accused UEFA of a "smear campaign" and "fishing expedition" after UEFA asked US judges to force FIFA to disclose documents related to its failed plan to secure private investment in World Cup tournaments. UEFA has threatened possible legal action against FIFA president Gianni Infantino for alleged "criminal mismanagement" over the scrapped investor plan.

    4 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

Friday 28 August

  1. UEFA considers legal action against FIFA president Infantino

    UEFA announced it is considering legal action against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, which a former International Olympic Committee marketing director described as a "massive escalation" of their feud. Infantino has faced increasing pressure to step down, and UEFA has withdrawn its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments on a provisional basis.

    28 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Argentine sports executives admit FIFA bribery scheme

    Two Argentine sports marketing executives, Hugo and Mariano Jinkis, admitted to bribing international soccer officials to secure lucrative media rights in a scheme that defrauded FIFA, CONCACAF, and CONMEBOL. Under a deferred prosecution agreement with US prosecutors, they agreed to forfeit $50 million and avoid trial.

    28 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 27 August

  1. Saudi Arabia backs FIFA president amid private investment backlash

    Saudi Arabia's Football Federation expressed support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino and welcomed his joint statement with Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom acknowledging mistakes and abandoning a plan to bring private financing into the World Cup, which had triggered global opposition.

    27 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 26 August

  1. Italian FA withdraws support for FIFA president Infantino

    Italy's national football federation withdrew its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup, joining other European associations in scrapping their backing ahead of his re-election bid at next year's FIFA Congress.

    26 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. UEFA likely to withdraw World Cup boycott threat

    UEFA is "likely" to withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments after the two conditions it sought from FIFA following president Gianni Infantino's failed attempt to secure private investment in the World Cup have been met, according to a source.

    26 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 24 August

  1. Eto'o defends FIFA president Infantino amid pressure to resign

    Former Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o has backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino, saying he "hasn't done anything wrong" despite intense scrutiny over a failed private investment proposal for FIFA tournaments including the World Cup. UEFA and other federations have withdrawn support and threatened boycotts over the controversial plan.

    24 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. UEFA's Ceferin rules out replacing Infantino as FIFA president

    UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out of contention to replace FIFA President Gianni Infantino, while warning that Infantino must quit or face a leadership challenge. Infantino has faced mounting pressure to step down over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, with UEFA and other continental federations withdrawing support.

    24 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. UEFA chief Ceferin rules out FIFA presidency bid amid Infantino pressure

    UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has said he is not interested in replacing FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but warned that Infantino must either quit or face a leadership challenge in March over his abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments. UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions and several federations have withdrawn support for Infantino.

    24 August 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 19 August

  1. FIFA vice-president withdraws support for Infantino over dismissals

    A FIFA vice-president from Hungary has withdrawn his support from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, citing the "unexpected dismissal" of Kevin Lamour, the chief operating officer who had publicly criticised Infantino's plan for private investment in World Cups.

    19 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 18 August

  1. FIFA chief Infantino parts with critic Lamour

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has departed after breaking ranks with senior FIFA directors and criticizing Infantino's plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including World Cups. Lamour had refused to sign off on the deal and described it as "the project of one person."

    18 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Asian football chief challenges Qatar over Infantino criticism letter

    A split within Asian football deepened after the region's top official hit back at Qatar's challenge over the confederation's move to join UEFA and CONCACAF in criticizing FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his failed plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions. Qatar's football chief said neither he nor the QFA had been consulted before the joint statement was issued.

    18 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 15 August

  1. Qatar disputes AFC's attack on FIFA president Infantino

    Qatar challenged the Asian Football Confederation over its decision to join UEFA and CONCACAF in an open letter attacking FIFA President Gianni Infantino, saying it was not consulted before the three confederations issued the statement.

    15 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 13 August

  1. African football chief: Infantino's future decided by election

    CAF president Patrice Motsepe says FIFA president Gianni Infantino's future should be decided by elections, after Ireland joined European, North American, and Asian football bodies in withdrawing support over his failed plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors.

    13 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 11 August

  1. FIFA president Infantino faces confidence loss from UEFA

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino has lost the confidence of UEFA after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup was withdrawn following global backlash. Despite support from US President Donald Trump and withdrawing the controversial proposal, Infantino's position remains precarious as three confederations have criticized his style of leadership.

    11 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Trump opposes removal of FIFA president Infantino

    US President Donald Trump said on Monday it would be "a terrible mistake" to replace FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is facing criticism from three continental confederations over deception and failed efforts to privatize parts of the World Cup.

    11 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Trump backs Infantino despite FIFA confederations calling for ouster

    US President Donald Trump said Monday it would be "a terrible mistake" to replace FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who faced criticism from UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC over a failed plan to sell World Cup broadcasting rights to private investors.

    11 August 2026 · The Standard

Monday 10 August

  1. US and Canada oppose FIFA President Infantino

    The football federations of the United States and Canada, two of the 2026 World Cup hosts, backed a statement from three confederations criticising FIFA president Gianni Infantino and calling for meaningful change to strengthen FIFA's governance, transparency and accountability.

    10 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. FIFA president Infantino faces confederation criticism after investment plan

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino withdrew his plan to raise private investment for a new commercial subsidiary to run World Cup operations after global backlash. UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC released an open letter criticizing his leadership style, despite calls for unity.

    10 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Three confederations challenge FIFA president over governance

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino faced a joint letter from UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC declaring that football "belongs to no individual," following his withdrawal of a plan to allow private investment in World Cup competitions after global backlash.

    10 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  4. UEFA, CONCACAF, AFC criticize FIFA's Infantino in joint letter

    Three continental football confederations issued a joint letter accusing FIFA president Gianni Infantino of placing himself above the collective after his failed attempt to bring private investment into World Cup competitions. The confederations wrote that "leadership in football is not a possession" and that "when trust is broken through deception," the duty of leadership has been abandoned.

    10 August 2026 · The Standard

Friday 7 August

  1. FIFA president Infantino shelves World Cup private investment plan

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino abandoned his controversial plan to allow private investment in the World Cup, described as a "humiliating climbdown." Though he received support from senior directors and a confederation this week, his position remains precarious ahead of his potential re-election for a fourth and final term next March.

    7 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. UEFA threatens boycott as Infantino faces mixed continental backing

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino lost UEFA's "confidence" after withdrawing a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup, prompting the European body to reiterate a boycott threat. While the Confederation of African Football backed Infantino, CONMEBOL and UEFA criticized him over the cancelled financing scheme.

    7 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. UEFA maintains boycott threat despite Infantino's scrapped finance plan

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino abandoned a plan to bring private finance into the World Cup after UEFA threatened to boycott tournaments, but UEFA said on Thursday that not all of its conditions have been met and reiterated the boycott threat. CAF backed Infantino while CONMEBOL criticized him.

    7 August 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 6 August

  1. FIFA backs Infantino despite World Cup privatisation controversy

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino has received "full support" from senior directors following a crisis meeting in Morocco, though the organisation apologised for errors made in handling a now-shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment, which had faced widespread criticism.

    6 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. FIFA backs Infantino, apologises for World Cup privatisation plan

    FIFA's leadership has given "full support" to president Gianni Infantino following his decision to shelve a controversial plan to open the World Cup to private investment, while acknowledging "errors" were made in how the proposal was handled after it was leaked to media.

    6 August 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 5 August

  1. FIFA chief Infantino holds emergency talks with directors

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco on August 5, 2026, amid criticism over his shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment, with calls for his resignation growing since he abandoned the proposal.

    5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. US to face Peru, Chile, Mexico, Canada in friendlies

    The U.S. will begin under head coach Mauricio Pochettino with friendlies against Peru on September 26 in Orlando, Chile three days later in St. Louis, Mexico on October 3 in Glendale, Arizona, and Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota.

    5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Concacaf — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute